Duplicating machine of reflex type

ABSTRACT

A duplicating machine of a reflex type, such as a duplicating machine or an electrostatic duplicating machine of such type, comprises passage means constituting separated passages for originals and for photosensitive paper both of which are to be brought into an integral machine body through said passage means, a mirror-lens optical means having lens elements and a mirror, a photographing opening in the original passage, an image forming port in the photosensitive paper passage, a mirror reflecting the light from the original at the photographing opening onto the mirror-lens optical means, and a further mirror directing the light from the mirror-lens optical means to the image forming port. The above components are positioned to form three intersections of the light in the light path.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Teizo Kushima 3,357,325 12/1967 Eichorn 355/3 Osaka, Japan 3,453,046 l/l969 VanEngeland.. 355/l3 [2]] Appl. No. 731,854 3,468,605 9/1969 Martin 355/13 X gg s Primary Examiner-John M. Horan 73 Assignee Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Schwartz I Osaka, Japan [32] Priority May 26, 1967 [331 ABSTRACT: A duplicating machine of a reflex type, such as a [31] 42/4432! duplicating machine or an electrostatic duplicating machine of such type, comprises passage means constituting separated [54] DUPuCA-"NG MACHINE F REFLEX TYPE passages for originals and for photosensitive paper both of 6 Chums, 11 Drawing 518$ WhlCh are to be brought into an integral machine body through said passage means, a mirror-lens optical means hav- [52] I US, Cl 355/11 ins lens elements and a i a photographing opening in the Cl G038 15/04 original passage, an image forming port in the photosensitive [50] Field 0| Search 355/3, 8, paper passage, a mirror reflecting the m f the Original at l the photographing opening onto the mirror-lens optical means, and a further mirror directing the light from the mir- Re'erences Cned ror-lens optical means to the image forming port. The above UNITED STATES PATENTS components are positioned to form three intersections of the 3,168,022 2/1965 Limberger 355/14 light in the light path,

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DUPLICATING MACHINE F REFLEX TYiE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Jln' all of the conventional duplicating machines, other than those of contact printing type, it is necessaryv to form an image on a photosensitive paper from a picture on the surface of an original by means of an image-forming optical system. However, such optical system and also the light path thereof necessitate large space in a machine. This is the reason why such duplicating machine is large. Particularly in electrostatic duplicating machines, the reduction in size of such machine is considered very difficult for the above-mentioned reason since such machine is impossible to be operated in contact printing fashion. 1

On the other hand, it is known to utilize a mirror-lens optical system which is a combination of a plurality of lens elements and a mirror. In such a mirror-lens optical system, the number of lens elements to be used can be reduced in half and the length of the lens barrel can be reduced in half, and thereby the space occupied by the optical system can be reduced. However, the space necessary for the light path is not shortened as much. Eventually, it is realized that the utilization'of such optical system does not contribute to the size reduction of duplicating machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 In order to obviate the above-mentioned faults, the present invention proposes to dispose a first mirror between an original photographing opening of a reflex duplicating machine and a mirror-lens thereof, and a second mirror between the mirror-lens and an image-forming port in the photosensitive paper, thereby the light path reflected by the mirrors is intersected three times. This contributes to a reduction of the dimensions of the machine. Also, according to this invention, a duplicating machine can be made compactly by way of forming a star-shaped optical system of which the apices are the photographing opening part, the first mirror, the second mirror, the image-forming part, and the mirrorlens. Furthermore, the machine of this invention easily permits the exchanging of parts and their adjustment since the original carrying roller, photosensitive paper carrying rollers, a feeding table, a light source, a charging device, a developing device, and a drying device are each detachably mounted on two side plates of a light path frame. The feeding table is exchangeable for those of various types for meeting various purposes of reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side section showing principal parts of a preferred embodiment of a reflex duplicating machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a feeding table and a fitting portion therefor of the reflex duplicating machine.

FIG; 3 is a front view of a portion of the reflex duplicating machine.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the journaling portion of the carrying rollers thereof.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the feeding table.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section of principal parts showing a different feeding table for thick originals fitted to the reflex duplicating machine.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a third feeding device which has a sheet stocker or storage device.

FIG. 8 is a side section of the device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is aside section of a fourth feeding device which has a roll stocker.

FIG.,10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an original outlet receiver.

FIG. 11 is a similar view of a modification of the original outlet receiver.

. 2 I DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, a reflex electrostatic duplicating machine according to this invention is shown in side section in which a feeding table 8 is illustrated as having a separating plate 34 for separating an original and a photosensitive paper, an original guiding plate 35, and a photosensitive paper guiding plate 36. The feeding table is detachably fitted into an opening 4 of an outer casing 2 of the duplicating machine. The original separated at the separating plate 34 is sent linearly by original feeding rollers 22a, 22b and 22c towards an original outlet opening 21 at the upper side of the outer casing 2. The photosensitive paper separated from the original as mentioned in the above is sent through photosensitive carrying rollers 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d and 24e to a photosensitive paper outlet opening 23 provided on the back of the machine. The passage for the photosensitive paper forms a hyperbolic curve.

The original is guided by a guiding plate 30 between the rollers 22a and 22b for passing over a photographing opening 9 of a light path frame 1.

On the other hand, the photosensitive paper is electrostatically charged by a charging device between the rollers 24a and 24b, and exposed to the light at an image-forming port 13 between the rollers 24b and 240. Thereafter, the exposed paper is introduced through a developing bath 6 at the peak of the hyperbolically curved passage between the rollers 24c and 24d, for developing the exposed image, and then it is dried by a drier 7 between rollers 24d and 24e.

The above-mentioned photographing slitlike opening 9 of slit is illuminated by an illuminating device 3 which has a tubular light source 28. The light dispersed from the illuminated original which is moving while being intimately urged onto an original registering glass plate 14 by an original holding member 25, enters a lens 16 of a mirror-lens assembly 11 by means of a first reflecting mirror 15. The light is then reflected by a mirror 17 or the mirror-lens assembly and again passes through the lens 16, and is reflected by a second reflecting mirror 18, for forming a slitlike image on the photosensitive paper which is moving while being urged onto a photosensitive paper registering glass plate 19 by a photosensitive paper holding member 29 at the image forming port 13. Thus the paper is exposed.

The light path frame 1 which forms a starlike shape of which the apices are the photographing opening 9, a fitting member 10 for the first mirror 15, the mirror-lens assembly 1 1 a fitting member 12 for the second mirror 18, and the image-forming port 13. At the both sides'of such frame 1, there are provided side plates 20 for rotatably supporting the original carrying rollers 22a, 22b and 220, and the photosensitive paper carrying rollers 24a, 24b, 24c and 24e. As shown in FIG. 2, a chain 43 is engaged with gears of ones of the paired rollers, and driven by a motor not shown. The other of each of the paired rollers is loosely journaled as shown by 77, and urged towards the first roller by means of spring 44 for establishing transmission relation therebetween.

By the plates 20, the illuminating device 3 having a detachable tubular light source 28 is mounted for illuminating the original passing over the original registering glass or plate 14 of the photographing opening 9. The original holding member 25 is also detachably mounted on the side plates 20. Similarly, the side plates 20 support the charging device 5, the photosensitive paper holding member 29, a tubular heater 33, the drier 7 having'a fan (not shown) and a suction pipe communicating with the neighborhood of the light source, the developing vessel 6, and other electrical means and power means. The entire assembly is covered by the outer casing 2. At the outer surfaces of both of the side plates 20 near an opening 4 of the easing 2, spring plates 38 are secured as by bolts 39 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The spring plate 38 has an arcuate inner projection 40 at its extremity. At the corresponding position of the side plate 20, there are provided a hole 42 and a groove 41 which opens slightly lower than the position of the hole 42. On the other hand, the feeding table 8 has a front plate 45 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The front plate 45 has at its back supporting plates 47 and 47' which are bent in an angle at both sides and secured to the front plate 45 by screws at 49 and 49. At the inner side, there are provided holding plates 52 and 52 for securing the separating plate 34, the original guiding plate 35 and the'photosensitive paper guiding plate 36. The extremity of the separating plate 34 divides an insertion port of the front plate 45 in a horizontal direction and projects onto the feeding table.

The supporting plates 47 and 47 have engaging holes 51 which communicate with guidinggrooves 50 guiding the projections 40. Furthermore, the supporting plate 47 and 47' have at their lower ends bent members 48 which fit into grooves 41 of the side plates 20.

When the feeding table 8 is pushed into the opening .4 between the side plates 20, the holding plate 52 for the separating plate, the supporting plates 47 and 47', and the bent members 48 are guided along the inner sides of the side plates 20, the outer sides thereof, and in the grooves 41, respectively. When the extremities of the guiding grooves 50 engage the arcuate projections 40, they act to push the projections aside against the resiliency of the spring plates 38, whereby the arcuate projections 40 project into the engaging holes 51. As will apparent from the above explanation, the mounting and also dismounting of the feeding deck are easily effected, the mounting condition being very steady.

Under this condition of the feeding table, the original and the photosensitive paper which are superposed with each other in a face-to-face relation are put on the feeding table, and introduced into insertion ports 46. The tip of the original is guided by hand into the upper insertion port 46 and the photosensitive paper into the lower insertion port 46. The original and the paper are then pinched and carried by the carrying rollers 22a, 24a, respectively. The picture passing over the slitlike photographing opening continuously forms an image on the photosensitive paper which is uniformly charged by the charging device 5, for completing the desired exposure thereof.

The original after having been exposed is discharged through the carrying rollers 220 from the outlet opening 21. On the other hand, the exposed photosensitive paper is fed into the developing agent which is dispersed in a charged condition in a solvent contained in the developing vessel 6. The developing agent or toner is deposited onto the dark portions of the image where the residual charge remains. The paper thus developed is thereafter .dried by means of the tubular heater 33 and the fan which introduces the heated air existing around the illuminating device 3, and the developed paper is fed through the guiding plates 30, and discharged from the outlet opening 23. Thus the duplication is completed.

When the original is thick, the duplication thereof by the above-explained table is impossible, since such thicker original cannot be bent beyond 45 which angle is defined by the separating plate 34 and the original guiding plate 35 of the table 8 for guiding the original toward the carrying rollers 22a. Even if it were possible, either one of the two might be damaged due to the unavoidable force applied to the original. In this invention, it is proposed to enable to replace the table 8 by a table 8'. The table 8' shown in FIG. 6 for use with a thicker original is detachably mounted on the side plates of the machine.

In FIG. 6, the feeding table 8' for a thick original is illustrated, wherein there are mounted on the front plate 45 the supporting plates 47 and 47' which are bent in an angle shape as in the above-mentioned embodiment. In the inner side of the table 8', holding plates 52 and 52' are mounted, which are slightly different from the former embodiment in that the upper surface of the separating plate 34' which is mounted on the holding plates 52 and 52' is in the same plane as that formed by a linear passage defined by the carrying rollers 22a, 22b, 22c and the original outlet opening 21, while the lower surface of the original guiding plate 35' forms a curved original guiding groove 54'. Accordingly, the insertion port 46 of the front plate 45 is positioned at a lower position than the insertion port 46 of the feeding table 8, and the photosensitive paper guiding groove 54' formed between the lower surface of the separating plate 34 and the upper surface of the photosensitive paper guiding plate 36' is bent to be directed to the rollers 244.

In accordance with the above construction, the table 8' itself is inclined to align with the extension line of the original guiding groove 53. By forming the feeding table as above mentioned, the original is carried along a linear passage through the carrying rollers 22a to the original outlet opening 21, to thereby prevent the application of any excess force on the original, and the duplication can-. be performed very smoothly.

The distance between the axes of the paired carrying rollers 22a, 22b and 220 can be increased when such a thick original is forcibly introduced thereinto, since one of each of the paired rollers is loosely journaled in elongated holes 77 of the side plates 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the one of the rollers is urged by the springs 44 toward fixing members 78.;T he rotational drive of one of the rollers can be transmitted through the original to be carried, from the other rollers.

The soft and thin photosensitive paper is separated by the separating plate 34' and fed into the carrying rollers24a= with a large curve. In this procedure there will be substantially prevented any unreasonable force to the soft paper.

The thick original discharged upwardly and obliquely from the outlet opening 21 is affected by the rotational force in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5, due to the gravity applied to the thick original. In order to prevent the undesirable force caused by such rotational force, there is provided a detachable receiver 31 on the outer casing. The original receiver 31 has an inclined surface defined by triangular side rods 31 as shown in FIG. 10 to align with the discharging direction of the original. The rods 31 are connected to a base 32 which has a permanent magnet therein. Accordingly, the receiver can be easily attached to the casing by its magnetism.

FIG. 11 shows a modification of the receiver, wherein a plurality of steel wires 31 are obliquely projected from a base 32 which also contains a permanent magnet therein. The discharged original is received by the steel wires.

In the above-mentioned feeding table 8 for thin originals, and the table 8' for thick originals, the photosensitive paper must be superposed with the original. It is rather troublesome to repeat such procedure for carrying out a great deal of reproduction.

In order to avoid such troublesome procedure, this invention offers an exchangeable sheet' stocker or storage device and also a roll stocker.

The feeding device having such a sheet stocker is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein similar structure tothat of the feeding table 8 is shown as to the front plate 45, the supporting plates 47, 47 and the holding plates 52, 52'.

In this type of feeding device, it is very important to synchronize the feeding of the original over the photographing opening 9 with that of the photosensitive paper over the image-forming port 13. In order to solve this problem, it is proposed according to this invention to form a single casing by an upper plate 55 facing the tip or the separating plate 34, a bottom plate 56, a front plate 45, and both side plates.

Within the casing thus formed, there is provided with a photosensitive paper feeding plate 57 which has an inclination adjacent the lower end of the insertion port 46. At a position near the other end of the feeding plate 57, a plate 69 is situated for piling up thereon a stack of cut photosensitive papers. This plate 69 is mounted on supports 67 which depend from springs 68 from the bottom 56. In the upper surface of an original feeding plate 58 which slides on the upper plate 55, there are drawn an indicating line 71 for positioning the proper position of the original. In front of the original feeding plate 58, a handle 59 is projected. Also there is provided a coil spring 60 between the depending portion 59' of the original feeding plate 58 and the depending portion 55 of the upper plate 55 for urging the original feeding plate 58, forwards (rightwards in FIG. 8) by its resiliency.

A lever 61 is pivoted at 62 to a projection inserted into the casing through the upper plate 55 from the handle 59. At the ing plate 58 at the indication line 71, and the upper one of the photosensitive papers piled on the plate 69 are fed into respective carrying rollers, keeping exact synchronism with each other.

A drawer 64 is designed to be drawable into the casing, and has grooves 66 at its bottom 65. The groves 66 receive the supports 67. By the provision of such drawer 64, the photosensitive papers contained in the casing can be protected from the external light. When the papers are to be supplemented, the operation can be easily carried out simply by shifting the drawer. Also this drawer is convenient for exchanging the papers with those of any other size. Since the feeding device having such stocker becomes heavier and could not be supported by the structure of the machine fittings 38, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48, 49,50 and 51, a strong leg 72 is fixed to the feeding device itself. I

.When a long-sized photosensitive paper wound in a form of a roll is used, the feeding table is replaced by a roll-type feeding device as shown in FIG. 9. The mounting mechanism of this roll-type feeding device to the machine is quite the same as that for the above-mentioned sheettype device and also the feeding table 8. Accordingly, and details thereof need not be mentioned again. As will be clear from the illustration in FIG. 9, the front end of the separating plate 35 which is secured to the holding plate 52 of a front plate 45 formed at the back of a stocker casing 56, divides the insertion port 46 of the front plate 45 in the horizontal direction. An upper plate continuously disposed to the separating plate 34 forms the upper surface of the stocker casing. A photosensitive paper feeding plate 57 extends from the lower end of the insertion port 46 towards the inside of the casing and faces a photosensitive paper guiding plate 75 through a cutter 76. At a position lower than the guiding plate 75, there is provided a winding shaft 73 for a roll of photosensitive paper 70. The paper feed from the shaft 73 is introduced onto the guiding plate 75 through a direction-changing roller 74. Although there is no illustration, it will be clear that the depending portion 59' of handle 59 secured onto the original feeding plate 58 (as shown in FIG. 7) and the depending portion 55 of the upper plate are urged by a spring 60 sandwiched therebetween, for urging the original feeding plate 58 toward the insertion port 46. A brush roller 63 pivoted on a lever 61 which is pivoted in turn on-a projection of the handle 59, feeds the photosensitive paper on the guiding plate 75 in accordance of the advancing movement of the original feeding plate, for synchronizing the feedings of the both materials into respective rollers. When the photosensitive paper has been fed to its desired length, it is cut by the cutter 76 and registered at its leading edge by the same so as to prepare next duplicating procedure.

By virtue of the above constructions and functions, the duplicating machine rf this invention can be made small and compact. Moreover, because of the simplicity of exchanging various parts or accessories, the machine can be adapted for all purposes of duplication. In any case, the synchronized relation between the original and the photosensitive paper can be always maintained.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described and shown which are given solely by way of example.

I claim:

1. A duplicating machine comprising a hollow casing including side plates, feeding means for feeding an image carrying original paper of prescribed thickness and a photosensitive paper in superposed relation; separating means connected to said feeding means for separating said original paper from said photosensitive paper; said feeding means and separating means being connected together as a unit and detachably mounted on said casing, said separating means including a separating plate provided with an original paper guiding groove and a photosensitive paper guiding groove, first guiding means within said casing defining a prescribed linear passage from said seperating means for directing said original paper; second guiding means within said casing defining a prescribed linear passage from said separating means for directing said photosensitive paper; said first and second guiding means diverging from one another at a right angle; said original paper guiding groove and said photosensitive paper guiding groove having outlet portions which are inclined at a right angle relative to one another and extend linearly in a straight path in alignment respectively with said passages of the guide means, optical means disposed in said casing between said side plates and confined within the right angle defined by said first and second guiding means, said optical means including a plurality of members disposed relative to one another to constitute apices of a five-pointed starlike configuration; the members at said apices including a first member provided with a photographic opening opposite which said original paper is directed, a second member constituting a first reflecting means, a third member constituting a mirror-lens, a fourth member constituting a second reflecting means, and a fifth member provided with an image-forming opening opposite which said photosensitive paper is directed; said photographic opening in the first member being disposed at right angles with respect to the image forming opening in said fifth member, said optical means acting to reflect the image of said original paper, passing over said photographic opening, sequentially to said first reflecting means, to said mirror-lens, to said second reflecting means, and to said image forming opening, thereby to form by reflection of a light beam, intersecting in three places, an image on said photosensitive paper.

2. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said original paper guiding groove and said photosensitive paper guiding groove include inlet portions proximate said feeding means and extending linearly in a straight path substantially parallel to one another.

3. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising further feeding means including a feeding table adapted for feeding original paper of a thickness greater than said prescribed thickness, a further separating means connected as a unit with said further feeding means to replace the unit on the casing for the feeding or original paper of said prescribed thickness, said further separating means including a separating plate provided with an original paper guiding groove which extends linearly from the inlet to the outlet thereof, and a photosensitive paper guiding groove which is arcuate from the inlet to the outlet thereof.

4. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, including an original receiver detachably mounted on said casing proximate an original outlet opening provided therein, said receiver defining an inclined surface which is substantially parallel to said original passage of the machine.

5. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding means includes a sheet storage stocker detachably positioned and secured on said side plates, said feeding means including an upper plate aligned with said separating plate, an original feeding plate slidably mounted on said upper plate, and a feeding roller depending from said original feeding plate and contacting photosensitive paper through said upper plate for shifting the paper towards said paper guiding groove.

6. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising rollers for contacting the original and the photosensitive paper, said rollers being journaled on said side plates; said feeding means including a feeding table supported by said side plates, an illuminating device supported by said side plates, an original registering glass plate mounted proximate said photographic opening, a holding member for urging the original paper onto said original registering glass plate, a photosensitive paper registering glass plate mounted proxidevice each supported by said side plates detachably; and a pirargingdevice al s c detaehai aly securedon said side plates 

1. A duplicating machine comprising a hollow casing including side plates, feeding means for feeding an image carrying original paper of prescribed thickness and a photosensitive paper in superposed relation; separating means connected to said feeding means for separating said original paper from said photosensitive paper; said feeding means and separating means being connected together as a unit and detachably mounted on said casing, said separating means including a separating plate provided with an original paper guiding groove and a photosensitive paper guiding groove, first guiding means within said casing defining a prescribed linear passage from said seperating means for directing said original paper; second guiding means within said casing defining a prescribed linear passage from said separating means for directing said photosensitive paper; said first and second guiding means diverging from one another at a right angle; said original paper guiding groove and said photosensitive paper guiding groove having outlet portions which are inclined at a right angle relative to one another and extend linearly in a straight path in alignment respectively with said passages of the guide means, optical means disposed in said casing between said side plates and confined within the right angle defined by said first and second guiding means, said optical means including a plurality of members disposed relative to one another to constitute apices of a five-pointed starlike configuration; the members at said apices including a first member provided with a photographic opening opposite which said original paper is directed, a second member constituting a first reflecting means, a third member constituting a mirror-lens, a fourth member constituting a second reflecting means, and a fifth member provided with an image-forming opening opposite which said photosensitive paper is directed; said photographic opening in the first member being disposed at right angles with respect to the iMage forming opening in said fifth member, said optical means acting to reflect the image of said original paper, passing over said photographic opening, sequentially to said first reflecting means, to said mirror-lens, to said second reflecting means, and to said image forming opening, thereby to form by reflection of a light beam, intersecting in three places, an image on said photosensitive paper.
 2. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said original paper guiding groove and said photosensitive paper guiding groove include inlet portions proximate said feeding means and extending linearly in a straight path substantially parallel to one another.
 3. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising further feeding means including a feeding table adapted for feeding original paper of a thickness greater than said prescribed thickness, a further separating means connected as a unit with said further feeding means to replace the unit on the casing for the feeding or original paper of said prescribed thickness, said further separating means including a separating plate provided with an original paper guiding groove which extends linearly from the inlet to the outlet thereof, and a photosensitive paper guiding groove which is arcuate from the inlet to the outlet thereof.
 4. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, including an original receiver detachably mounted on said casing proximate an original outlet opening provided therein, said receiver defining an inclined surface which is substantially parallel to said original passage of the machine.
 5. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding means includes a sheet storage stocker detachably positioned and secured on said side plates, said feeding means including an upper plate aligned with said separating plate, an original feeding plate slidably mounted on said upper plate, and a feeding roller depending from said original feeding plate and contacting photosensitive paper through said upper plate for shifting the paper towards said paper guiding groove.
 6. A duplicating machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising rollers for contacting the original and the photosensitive paper, said rollers being journaled on said side plates; said feeding means including a feeding table supported by said side plates, an illuminating device supported by said side plates, an original registering glass plate mounted proximate said photographic opening, a holding member for urging the original paper onto said original registering glass plate, a photosensitive paper registering glass plate mounted proximate said image-forming part, a holding member for urging the photosensitive paper onto said photosensitive registering glass plates; a power source, a developing device, and a drying device each supported by said side plates detachably; and a charging device also detachably secured on said side plates. 